Around 350 workers at Northern Ireland Water have staged a one-day strike as a long-running dispute over pay arrangements and employment terms escalates. The industrial action involves mostly administrative and technical staff represented by the trade union Nipsa, after members voted in favour of action in a recent ballot.
The strike comes amid wider pressure across the public sector in Northern Ireland, where unions have raised concerns about pay progression, complex grading systems and rising living costs.
Dispute Focuses on Pay Structure Changes
Nipsa said the dispute stems from a new salary structure introduced several years ago, which it argues has created unfair pay outcomes for staff doing similar roles. The union claims some employees have gone years without a pay uplift, while others are covered by different bargaining arrangements.
Nipsa general secretary Carmel Gates said the revised structure had effectively split workers into separate pay groups, resulting in unequal treatment and altered terms and conditions. She said the union was seeking negotiations to resolve the issue and warned that further action could follow if progress is not made.
Administrative Roles Critical to Operations
Union representatives stressed that although striking staff are not front-line workers who repair leaks or attend emergencies, their roles are essential to NI Water’s daily operations. Administrative staff support IT systems, water quality testing and safety monitoring, all of which underpin service delivery.
Gates warned that prolonged action could have knock-on effects, particularly if cold weather leads to increased demand on the water network. She said disruption behind the scenes could slow response times and complicate operations during adverse conditions.
Pickets Held Across Northern Ireland
Picket lines were set up at NI Water’s headquarters in north Belfast, as well as outside the Gelvin Grange depot in Londonderry. Staff on the picket lines said the decision to strike reflected deep frustration and a lack of alternatives.
Local branch chairperson Bronagh Coughlan said the dispute had dragged on for years and that members were prepared to continue action, including work-to-rule measures, if negotiations fail to deliver a fair outcome.
NI Water Says Pay Offer Is Ready
NI Water said it had contingency plans in place to limit disruption and confirmed that a pay offer had already been authorised for 2024–25 and 2025–26 in line with wider public sector settlements. Those offers have been accepted by front-line unions Unite and GMB.
The company said the current dispute relates to the mechanism used to negotiate pay for non-front-line staff and that it had proposed a route for Nipsa to submit a formal pay claim. NI Water said it had engaged in mediation during 2025 and remained open to further talks.
Further Action Planned
In addition to the one-day strike, some Nipsa members are set to begin action short of strike from Thursday, including working strictly to contractual duties. Union leaders said the next phase of action would depend on management’s response and willingness to negotiate.
The dispute adds to growing concerns about workforce morale and retention across Northern Ireland’s public utilities, as unions warn that unresolved pay issues risk long-term disruption.
